Dankwart had taken to him his lord's
retainers from the Burgundian land; the steeds of the Nibelungs they
found well saddled. When now the kings and their men were come to horse,
stalwart Folker gan advise that they should ride a joust after the
fashion of their land. At this the heroes rode in lordly wise; none it
irked what the knight had counseled. The hurtling and the noise waxed
loud, as the many men rode into the broad court. Etzel and Kriemhild
themselves beheld the scene. To the jousts were come six hundred knights
of Dietrich's men to match the strangers, for they would have pastime
with the Burgundians. Fain would they have done it, had he given them
leave. Ho, what good champions rode in their train! The tale was told to
Sir Dietrich and he forbade the game with Gunther's men; he feared for
his liegemen, and well he might.

When those of Berne had departed thence, there came the men of Rudeger
from Bechelaren, five hundred strong, with shields, riding out before
the hall. It would have been lief to the margrave, had they left it
undone. Wisely he rode then to them through the press and said to his
knights, that they were ware that Gunther's men were evil-minded toward
them. If they would leave off the jousting, it would please him much.
When now these lusty heroes parted from them, then came those of
Thuringia, as we are told, and well a thousand brave men from Denmark.
From the tilting one saw many truncheons (2) flying hence. Irnfried and
Hawart now rode into the tourney. Proudly those from the Rhine awaited
them and offered the men of Thuringia many a joust. Many a lordly shield
was riddled by the thrusts. Thither came then Sir Bloedel with three
thousand men. Well was he seen of Etzel and Kriemhild, for the knightly
sports happed just before the twain. The queen saw it gladly, that the
Burgundians might come to grief. Schrutan (3) and Gibecke, Ramung and
Hornbog, (4) rode into the tourney in Hunnish wise. To the heroes from
Burgundian land they addressed them. High above the roof of the royal
hall the spear-shafts whirled. Whatever any there plied, 'twas but a
friendly rout. Palace and hall were heard resounding loud through the
clashing of the shields of Gunther's men. With great honor his meiny
gained the meed. Their pastime was so mickle and so great, that from
beneath the housings of the good steeds, which the heroes rode, there
flowed the frothy sweat. In haughty wise they encountered with the Huns.